Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Equestrian
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
FRESNO, Calif.- The sport of equestrian at Fresno State is unique in that it directly ties together university athletics with one of the school's strongest academic programs, the Department of Animal Science within the School of Agricultural Education.
Fresno State is the first Division I school west of the Mississippi River to have established equestrian as a varsity sport, and the Department of Animal Science was a crucial player in the process.
"I think that in the future, you will see this program emulated certainly all over the west, but maybe even nationally," said Animal Science department chair Art Parham. It is a hand-in-glove approach to intercollegiate athletics and it will offer so many opportunities for our students."
"I think the arrival of this program is probably one of the best examples that I have seen of Fresno State thinking big," Parham said. "This program will become a bridge between academics and athletics."
And that it is.
Not only does the sport provide the opportunity for 72 women to compete at the collegiate level, but it also creates a multitude of opportunities for Animal Science students. They are responsible for maintenance of all equipment and facilities, along with providing all the care for the horses.
Recently, the Animal Science department developed an Equine Science option within the Animal Science major.
"This program is an excellent opportunity for students who want to continue on with their equestrian experience or horse activities after college," said head coach Megan McGee. "If they want to develop that into a career or continue on with it throughout their lives, this opportunity here at Fresno State is wonderful."
